5 reasons estate agents need a telephone answering service

Every estate agent, whether an independent, regional or national brand, is experiencing the same challenges when it comes to capturing all enquiries, from all avenues.

There are some headaches that simply come with the territory right now – ever-changing guidelines, buyers who demand the earth on a shoestring budget or those groan-inducing jokes you’ve heard a thousand times – but your phone system should never be one of them.

With a huge variation of vendors currently active, you need to ensure all your comms channels are working hard for you; social media, email, live chat and of course – phone. It goes without saying that your calls are as important now as ever, but your time is much better spent elsewhere. With this in mind, we’ve put together the top 5 reasons you should be using a telephone answering service…

1. Every call is valuable

Just one call can lead to thousands of pounds in commission. When every new enquiry has the potential to be so valuable, it’s essential that someone is there to answer the phone every time it rings. Can you afford to pass up a new listing? A telephone answering service will ensure you capture every new enquiry and make the most out of your inbound opportunities.

2. Time is of the essence

When a seller is looking for a valuation, they won’t keep trying your number if no one is there to answer. Instead, they’ll try each number on their list until they find someone who can help. Trained to handle calls exactly as if based in your agency, a professional telephone answering service will leave callers impressed; confident they don’t need to waste time looking anywhere else.

3. Image matters

Engaging a telephone answering service is equivalent to hiring a snappy dresser for your team; you know your customers will be given the right impression when they interact with your agency. A good provider will give you the opportunity to fully brief your receptionist so you can relax in the knowledge that they will project the right image every time they answer the phone.

4. When you’re at work, your customers are too

People searching for a new home, selling the one they’re in or trying to book viewings do this at home, outside of their working day. If your agency is open 9-5 Monday to Friday, you risk missing out on these enquiries. With a telephone answering service, you’re permanently open for business even when you’re taking a break or heading home for the weekend.

5. Additional overheads cause unnecessary stress

If you need a dedicated receptionist but you don’t want the expense or hassle of managing another full-time employee, a telephone answering service will give you all of the benefits without the associated drain on your energy and finances. Your customers will still get to know your receptionist as if they were based in your agency, but you’ll never need to think about lunchtimes, sickness or holiday cover.

2 million property calls answered annually

How we can help

Trusted by over 2,000 estate and letting agents, Moneypenny is the #1 telephone answering and live chat provider for the property industry. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our 120-strong specialist property team manage calls and chats whenever you’re unavailable.